Delivered: (The Blackpaw Prophecy, Book 1)

by Leona Crowley

  There’s so much information to process that I don’t know where to begin. I feel like I should already know what’s going on but missed it somehow. I’ve been in the middle of it this whole time. All the fragments are still scattered around me. I just don’t see the answers and I only have more questions. Why was I led here? What does any of this have to do with me?

  I pull away from Jack for just a moment. The police look like they’re getting ready to leave and I want to make sure they take the gun.

  I step away from Jack and approach one of the officers. “The gun went under the table over there.” I point toward the table to make sure he sees it. As the officer is retrieving the gun, I feel hands on my shoulder, pulling me backwards.

  “Ashley, this is Bear. He’s going to check you out. We need to know where the blood is coming from. And Gabe needs to ask you a few questions.” Jack places me on a barstool at the island.

  When the paramedic begins his assessment of my injuries, Jack goes over to where Runt is lying on the floor. I watch closely as he gets on his knees and leans over Runt. Is he whispering in his ear? Yes, he is. And just like that, Runt is back to Runt.

  Jack doesn’t let him get up but looks into his eyes and, in a deep voice, gives one command. “Shift.” Runt turns back into a wolf. Jack says it again with a normal tone and he’s back to being Runt. Just like that, he gets up and walks around like nothing happened. He’s even laughing with the other guys while he puts on pants.

  Jack controlled whether he changed or not. No one in the room reacted in any way to what was going on. Just like Christi earlier, they acted like it is something they see every day. Gabe even seemed to be waiting for Jack to do that so he could question Runt. More pieces to this confusing puzzle that I still don’t understand.

  “Are you OK? Can you follow my finger?” I look over at the huge man who’s talking calmly to me. Jack said his name is Bear. The name fits. The man is massive and kind of looks like a bear with a bushy beard and everything.

  “OK. Can you turn into a wolf too?” I track his finger with my eyes. My voice seems small next to him. I need to start putting this puzzle together and this seems like a good place to start.

  “No, a bear. I need to see if this blood is coming from you. I’ll be gentle. If you feel any pain, tell me immediately.” He slowly moves his hands along my shoulders and the backs of my arms. I’m pretty sure he’s sniffing me.

  “You can turn into a bear and they call you Bear? Seriously?” I must really be in shock because all I want to do right now is laugh.

  He chuckles. “Yes, my name is Hank, but everyone calls me Bear, always have. OK, the blood is coming from the back of your arm. You have a laceration where the bullet grazed you. I need to clean out the wound and treat the burn from the bullet. It may need a few stitches. I can do it here, but I’d prefer to take you back to the clinic. I’m sure Doc will want to check you out as well.”

  “Bear, no offense, but the only way you’re going to get me out of this house is by going grizzly.” Looking him right in the eyes, I pause for a second and smile. “You can do it here. Please. I’ll sign whatever waiver you need.”

  I can’t leave this house. I feel that leaving right now would make all of this less real, like it will vanish somehow. I have to figure this out before it disappears. And Jack said tonight was the night. No way am I missing that.

  The loudest and deepest laugh I’ve ever heard echoes through the house, causing everyone to look. It’s followed by Bear’s thunderous voice. “Jack, I like her. You’ve got your hands full, no doubt about it. Going grizzly. Now that’s funny. OK, we’ll do this your way, but you better follow my instructions.”

  I nod my approval as Bear continues to work on my arm. Gabe and Jack move in closer to us. Jack’s smile is growing, and he almost seems giddy. Gabe looks through his notes, just when he’s about to speak, the doorbell interrupts him. Crap, the pizza.

  “Brooks, the pizza is here. I forgot about the salad.” Despite the chaos and confusion, everything seems normal.

  “I got the pizza. You stay put.” I hear Brooks shout from the entryway.

  I look around the room again and take it all in. The police are all gone, except for Gabe. Jack’s crew are still gathered in the living room, most with a beer in their hand. Nicholai has poured himself a glass of wine. They’re all talking quietly. Most are smiling and laughing. And Brooks is putting the pizza boxes on the island. Aside from being treated in my kitchen for a gunshot wound, it seems like a regular Saturday night.

  “Ashley, can we talk for a few minutes?” Gabe nods in my direction.

  “Ouch, that hurts!” I shout my discomfort, before Gabe can start.

  “Sorry. That was the last of it. Just had to tie off the knot for the stitches. I think it will help it heal faster with a few stitches.” Bear really is trying to be gentle.

  Gabe looks at me, and everyone in the room is quiet. “Ashley, we heard everything that transpired here tonight. Brooks called Jack as soon as Christi arrived. His phone was on the counter, recording the whole conversation, while Jack listened on the other end. We got here as fast as we could. I just have one question. When the commotion happened, just before the shot went off, was Christi aiming at you or at Runt? Brooks said he didn’t see where the gun was pointed. He was trying to get to Christi as fast as he could to prevent the shot. Runt says he doesn’t know because the two of you were too close to each other.”

  I look around, then back to Gabe. “I don’t know. The gun was pointed at me first, before he came in. Then it was back and forth between us during the yelling. Then he…wolfed, and she pointed it at him. Then we struggled to push each other out of the way. Christi’s arm was shaking all over the place. Then the gun went off. I looked at Christi just before she pulled the trigger, and I knew it was going to happen. I couldn’t stop it, so I tried to dive in front of Runt. That’s how I banged his head into the wall.”

  “Why did you dive in front of Runt? Why didn’t you let him push you out of the way?” Gabe is serious when he’s in police mode.

  “To protect him, of course. He turned into a wolf right in front of me. This might be normal for y’all, but I had never seen anything like that before. I didn’t know if he could protect himself like that, so I did.”

  Gabe smiles as he nods. “OK, fair enough. I think this wraps up the break-in case. Christi’s already at the station. She won’t be causing you any more trouble. I have the gun and a copy of the recording for evidence. Your arm was photographed while Bear was patching you up. If you have any questions, please let me know. Jack, I’m going back to town. Have a good night and see you guys later. Bear, you headed out too?” Gabe starts walking toward the door.

  “I’m right behind you, Gabe. Ashley, come to the clinic or call Doc if you have any trouble with your arm. You’ll need to follow up with him in the next few days anyway. He’ll be expecting you. Jack has the number. It’s going to be sore. You can take an over-the-counter pain reliever as needed. Here’s some supplies you can use to change the bandage. It was a pleasure meeting you.” Bear nods his head in my direction and stands to address Jack. “You might want to call Doc anyway. Your saliva might be able to accelerate the healing process. Night, Jack. Night, everyone.”

  “I’ll call him in the morning.” Jack walks Bear to the front door, then returns to my side.

  Jack’s crew and Nicholai are all that remain. Everything happened so fast. It seems surreal now that it’s over. Nicholai hands me my glass of wine.

  “Thank you, Nicholai. Want some pizza? We ordered plenty, thinking you might be here.” I look around. No one has touched the pizzas. Why is no one eating?

  Everyone is looking around at one another. And then all eyes land on me.

  “Why isn’t anyone eating? Please, I need to feel normal right now. I need everyone to start acting normal and eat.” I’m looking around at each of them.

  They all look at Jack before they start moving toward the island. B
rooks opens the boxes and starts handing out plates. One by one they take their seats at the table and begin to eat. Slowly the conversations resume, and it begins to feel normal again.

  CHAPTER 24

  Jack

  I scan the room looking for Christi as we walk through Dakota’s to a booth in the back. She’s not here and I’m not sure if that’s a good thing or not. A beer should help me relax so I can focus on Ashley.

  I hate when Brooks orders pizza, but tonight I like it. Ashley won’t have anything to do in the kitchen for clean-up. I think I’ll start a fire in the bedroom. We can have a nice, quiet evening getting to know each other. Like a date.

  “OK. I’m pretty sure I know what I want to tell Ashley about shifters, but I need to figure out what to say about fated mates. Any ideas?” I look at the others one at a time and take one of the beers Sam delivers to the table.

  Nicholai speaks first. “Are you sure talking about this here is going to help you? She knows a lot more than we give her credit for. I think that once you begin the conversation, it will go smoother than you expect. Definitely not the train wreck you’re imagining in your head. I just don’t think that coming here is going to be productive.”

  “Nicholai, I don’t want to leave anything out and I don’t want to scare the shit out of her either. Just because we think she’s already figured it out, doesn’t mean she’s not ready to run back to the South. There’s a lot to tell her and not just about shifters. The pack, the town, fated mates, and that’s just the beginning. We all want to know how she masked her scent. What else can she do that we don’t know about? I’m serious about this. I don’t need specifics. I just need to make sure I have the basics covered.”

  While Nicholai just stares at me, I try to decide if I want a burger or not. I’m sick of pizza and don’t know if I’ll even want to eat later. This might be my only chance.

  Max gets out of the booth. “We’ve had too much pizza lately. I think I’m getting a burger. Anyone else want one?”

  My decision is made. “Yes. I want my usual with fries. Bring back another beer while you’re at it.”

  “Make that two, I’ll have the same as Jack.” Grant finishes his beer and passes his empty bottle to Max.

  Nicholai shocks all of us, just as Max is about to walk away.

  “I’ll have a burger as well. Get me whatever they’re having. I think it’s time I discover what all the fuss is about.” Nicholai sits back and adjusts his shirt to avoid wrinkles.

  “You can’t have a burger without the beer. Wine just doesn’t fit. If you’re going to do it, do it right.” Max has a big grin on his face as he walks away toward the bar.

  “Nicholai, I’m impressed. It’s about time you join this century. I can’t believe this is your first burger. I’m glad I get to witness this.” I’m watching Nicholai. He almost seems nervous.

  Grant laughs at Nicholai’s discomfort. “Seriously, how have you not had a hamburger? For being older than all of us combined, we sure have a lot to teach you. That’s the list we should be making.”

  “I’ve been busy.” Nicholai sips his wine.

  Grant and I are laughing when Max returns with another round of beers. “Sam said the burgers won’t take long. He’ll bring them right out.”

  I like this. We haven’t hung out and laughed in a while. Before Ashley came along the whole pack was tense about me finding a mate. Since she showed up, the anxiety has been about her being human and is she my mate or isn’t she. Then the break-in and all that bullshit. Finally, relief from all the tension.

  Sam comes to the table with our burgers. After he walks away, we all look at Nicholai.

  Nicholai looks at the burger, confused as to where to start. “What am I looking at? Can I have a knife and fork at least?”

  “No.” We all answer in unison.

  “It’s a double cheeseburger with bacon, lettuce, tomato, grilled onions, pickles, ketchup, and mustard. Just pick it up with both hands and take a bite. Try to get everything at once.” Grant picks up his burger to demonstrate. “See, like this.”

  Max and I have already started.

  Nicholai watches Grant closely. He then pushes up his sleeves, picks up the burger, and takes a deep breath. After a few seconds he takes a bite, getting a little of everything just as instructed. We are all watching closely, trying to gauge his reaction.

  “Holy shit! That is amazing.” He still has a mouthful of food. “This is incredible. Why have I never had one of these before?” He goes in for another mouthful.

  “See, Nicholai. I’ve been telling you for years, you should’ve listened sooner.” I take another bite.

  “And the beer is crisp and refreshing. You’re right, the wine would not be the right complement to the burger.” Nicholai attacks what’s left of his burger with gusto.

  We’re all laughing and enjoying our burgers. I love this relaxed, laid-back feeling. I know that things aren’t settled with Ashley and we still have a lot to work through, but I needed this. Soon, the burgers are gone, and I want to get back to my list. Just as I’m finishing my beer, my phone starts ringing. I almost want to ignore it, but I don’t. The display reads Brooks.

  “Brooks? What’s up?” He’s with Ashley and I can’t think of why he would call.

  “Jack. Christi just showed up and Ashley’s inviting her in. What do you want me to do?” Brooks is nervous. I can hear it in his choppy breathing.

  I make eye contact with Max and Grant while I’m on the phone. “Don’t hang up. Put the phone on speaker and place it on the counter so I can hear. We’re on our way.”

  Max goes to pay the bill and Grant pulls out his phone to call Gabe. They clearly heard what Brooks said. We run out of Dakota’s toward the truck.

  Pulling out of the parking lot, Grant hangs up with the police. “Gabe and his team are on their way. He was alerted by the one tailing Christi. Gabe told him to hold back and wait for further instructions.”

  Grant takes my phone from me. He puts it on speaker so everyone can hear better and sets it to record. I wouldn’t have thought of either of those things. I’m anxious as we leave Dakota’s. So far, the conversation sounds pleasant, but I don’t trust Christi.

  “Can they hear us? Did you put it on mute?” I whisper to Grant.

  “Muted. They can’t hear us.” Grant holds the phone between us while I drive.

  “Sounds like Ashley knows Christi is responsible for the break-in.” Max listens from the back seat.

  I glance in the rearview mirror. “Max, call Preston, fill them in on what’s going on and have them get over there as fast as they can. They’re further away than we are, but I’ll feel better about this whole situation knowing they’re on their way.”

  Being split between two houses sucks, and I was the one who sent them to the other place to pack. They would all be at the house if I’d already been honest with Ashley. We sure as hell wouldn’t be in this mess. Can’t worry about that now.

  I’m smiling as I listen, but I’m not ready to take my focus off Christi. She’s up to something, I feel it.

  “Yep. She definitely knows who Christi is and she’s staking her claim. Holy shit, Jack. Ashley isn’t holding back.” Grant’s enjoying the conversation.

  “Fuck! What the hell is she doing with a gun?” I knew better than to trust Christi. I speed up, needing to get there fast.

  “I told Gabe about the gun, but they’re not any closer than we are.” Grant puts his phone away. He’s juggling both phones as the truck swerves, but I’m only concerned with one of them.

  We all continue to listen. Runt being there too provides some comfort.

  “Jack, stop the truck.” Nicholai’s voice is stern from the back seat.

  “I can’t stop, Nicholai. The bitch has a gun pointed at my mate.” I’m having a hard time staying focused on the road.

  “I can fly faster than you can drive, Jack. Let me out.” Nicholai’s right.

  “Fucking hell.” I can’t help my growlin
g response. “Hold on. That’s my mate, Nicholai.”

  I slam on the breaks and come to a stop in the middle of the street. There are no other cars around, and I don’t give a shit right now.

  “I know, Jack.” Nicholai jumps out of the backseat and before the door can close, I hit the accelerator, launching us forward. None of us see Nicholai shift into a dragon, but we clearly see his shadow over the trees.

  The conversation is intensifying, Christi is starting to panic. I don’t like any of it.

  I hear thumping. “What’s that banging?”

  “Sorry, Jack. It’s me. I think Runt is going to…fucking hell, he just shifted. He’s young Jack and can’t handle stressful situations well. I’ve been working with him.” Max almost sounds worried about Runt.

  “Don’t worry about him, Max. I’m glad he’s there and it’s not just Brooks. I even feel better knowing that one of them shifted. Maybe they can get this shit under control.” How can this road be this long? It feels like we’ve been on it for days.

  What is Christi thinking? Where did she get a gun? Not only does my mate have a gun pointed at her, she just witnessed Runt shift into a wolf right in front of her. I’m only half-listening to the conversation now. The more I hear, the more pissed I become. I’m not there, and I can’t control the outcome. All I can do is drive and listen. The more I hear, the less confident I feel about my future with Ashley. Why would she want to stick around after this?

  Pop! The gunshot sounds amplified in the phone and echoes throughout the cab of the truck.

  “NO!” I roar in disbelief at the sound of a shot being fired. The truck veers off the edge of the road. “I can’t believe she pulled the fucking trigger. Hold on, Ashley! Please, don’t leave me this way.”

  My heart is pounding in my chest and I’m struggling to stay in control. It feels like the bullet hit me right in the chest. I can’t breathe. It’s excruciating to think that I’ve lost my mate before I had the chance to make her mine. It can’t end this way. It just can’t. I barely slow down enough to make the turn onto our road. I can see the house up ahead.